1
: physical strength : force
—used in the phrase with might and main
The next instant we were away down the river, clawing with might and main to keep out of the woods.—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain3
: the chief part : essential point
they are in the main well-trained
4
: a pipe, duct, or circuit which carries the combined flow of tributary branches of a utility system
Synonyms
Noun
Adjective
Examples of main in a Sentence
Noun
My radio runs either off batteries or off the mains.
Turn off the water at the mains.
Adjective
Speed is the main advantage of this approach.
The company's main office is located in New York.
driving down the main road
This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer.
And now for the main event of the evening!
Recent Examples on the Web
Bon Appétit, 16 Oct. 2024
Along with the savory main, the menu includes the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty.
—Antonia Debianchi, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Li Zhou, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
Cortisol: As the body’s main stress hormone, cortisol is essential for managing stress.
—Priya Oberoi, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for main 
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Noun
Don't make everything hinge around some big labor-intensive main.
—Bon Appétit, 16 Oct. 2024
Along with the savory main, the menu includes the Pineapple Under the Sea Frosty.
—Antonia Debianchi, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The Bureaus of Land Management and Ocean Energy Management, as well as the Forest Service, are the three main entities that issue oil and gas leases on public spaces.
—Li Zhou, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024
Cortisol: As the body’s main stress hormone, cortisol is essential for managing stress.
—Priya Oberoi, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for main
Dictionary Entries Near main
Cite this Entry
“Main.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/main. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
main
2 of 2 adjective1
: chief entry 1 sense 2, principal
the main idea
2
: pure sense 3, sheer
by main force
3
: being a clause that is capable of standing alone as a simple sentence but is part of a larger sentence that includes a subordinate clause or another main clause
mainly
adverb
Geographical Definition
Main
geographical name
ˈmīn 
ˈmān
river 325 miles (523 kilometers) long in south central Germany rising in northern Bavaria in the Fichtelgebirge and flowing west into the Rhine River
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